The Wilmingtonian., 1887-03-12
The Lawton Art Ga,lcry.

portant respect, that of high standard OF
paintings But it's permauency depends upon
the good sense and the recognition by our
cit gems of Whit an art gallery means, Hear
irg Of what Wilmington had done the Times
of Reading said =
Wilmington, Del, has taken prty i'm
poItant step forward in the establishing %
IA pe'manent art gallery there, where all may
exhibit their art efforts aud where all cit'
zens Of the place may visit at their flee wi
as often as they clio Sc, and have full oppn-
unity II seelng what Is done there in tht
line Of ant. The Iim6s years ago pleaded
Tor u Ike depository in this city, but 1t was
feared such "a gallery would prove buidrh
to those responsible for It's maintenance. A.
Reading has a fewer AZ lists now than it had
then, the Lrcess ty for permanent art gal,
leiy here has COZ resliOndngiys diminished.
TIE lovers OF art III w lmingt0u are cerrarn-
ly to be congratulated upon this substantial
e, idence OF higher advancemc
What We have done is undoubtedly an i'm
pnrtant step. 1t is said me-aud this is the
c'tizeus that they apr, ciate aud rec"gn q
.hat has betu undertaken in this fort. Til,
work has to be maintained by our citzen'
If every grade. The progress OF our GUY Il
III d not very distant manner dependent up
on just such progrt s>ive steps Our citizrns
should all make an elfort to help tue gallery
N some shape OF form. 1t is within then
power to do SO. There is a lesponsblli!
Their children's sake if none other. Equally
with muslc-aud who would think of giving
,t up-art shouli be nourlshed aud patron
zed. 1t is one of those conditions that 4
to ele, ate onr community, THIS is some
thirg which, unfortunately, too few, of Il e
general public real ze. But it Is none tht
ess true. 1t is a responsibility sccoud only
TO that OF IA religion. TINS assertion is mai,
zion that the literal value of the words bt
taken. What was the civilization Of Greco,
lud Rome but that Of lette,s and the arts.
And what civilization was greater Than tina,
II those old republics! None but with on
exception and that arose out OF the civiizd-
ion Of Christian ". But art is closely bound
up with that also with as full an ideutity as
music.
that iS prog,ess not in the harsh almost ie-
pulsve, and undoubtedly tiesome dollars
aud cents accumulation of money--lf We al,
50 make preg,ess Of geunine'kipd it is tue
luty of enlightened communities at thi
late of the nileteeuth century, in this gra
republc OF ours where though we have All.
,uctd ruswtalth We have made no coucui-
cut advance in the arts. Ohly at certain ol
the great centres of this immense country OF
,ls have we done anything, 1t is time Del
| iNaieans did something for art in their stat,
metropolis.
At the Lawlon ant gallery the citizens Il
| 5his State may see some master pieces paint
sl by the foremost American artists. And
hey eau see also some OF the effults by tht il
| ,wu fellow cilizeus. 1t must be remember
| Oh that the artist does not work for himself
done. Tho usual Iatts sum he may receive
tor his work in no way pays him ior his ex.
srlicns. The mere visitor to a gallery, pei.
laps young impressionable mind, gets its
i ST UNCONSCIOUS hut of the latent puwei,
ne has /, ing till that moment quiet in hi,
mind. The one also who goes to the gallery
% dtiuk in the pleasures impaired by VIII
lessiug tue attractive rendering of nature lie
another who receives great good. These
nc all conditions that halluw aud elevate
that turn the MUD from the coarse cuudi
trups tnat surround, and point out larger
aud sulen mental world of our.
But all this talk seems Il long way freu
lae Law ton art gallery, 1t is really howev
81 not SO. The Wilmington gallery like al
at galleries should be something more tia
vulgar investment OF so much capita II ha
,lller aud il gher aims aud un nleuces. Ii til
trusts are aided also, why, So much the bel
Ell. Aud und uOtedly the labJier is worth
if ris li,e.
But there are some good pictures BY ou
.ocal artists. Clausou Hammitt, Robel
5naw, Henry B,aunstien, Mis- Rhmiord, Nils
Florence Hofl, cker, MISS Fog, Miss Palmer
Jerome B. Bell, j. Travers JJues aud othei
IRE exhibiting. Others also who have ut
been able to get trcady will undoubtedly sho
III the future. Among the examples froi
outside the city are some exceedingly vail
able canvases by Ssuet, Puure, Herr y
sword, Moran aud last bur not not least ul
Wilmington favorte the deceased Harr
ratnall. There is a very hue canvass of Il
last named witch the writer witnessed as
gradually grew to completion upon Il
authors easel. We are sure that Wllmin
= touians will be glad to see it, The subje
is wood interior-tbat fdvortte suhjecg al
always poeticaIly treated one of the deceasi
artist. Let us all help this art gallery alpu